Card-type key holder with fold away panels

ABSTRACT

A means for holding a plurality keys is disclosed. The means comprises: a flat card rectangular in shaped, one or more fold lines in order to divide the card into a plurality of panels. The fold lines wherein allow the plurality of panels to pivot relative to each other by 180-degree angle. One or more panels of the card comprise a sleeve which has one or more openings to facilitate the insertion of keys.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various implementations relate generally to a means for carrying keys and particularly to a card-type key holder.

BACKGROUND

In everyday life, various keys are carried by users such as key to one's apartment or security locker etc. Multiple keys are attached in a key chain or a ring structure to be carried around in one's pocket. In various exemplary scenarios, a key holder in the form of frame having hooks to hold number of keys is provided. However, these conventional key chains or rings or holders tends to become bulky and cumbersome for a user to carry. Conventional key holders have to be separately carried along with a wallet.

Prior art does not provide a key holder which can easily fit in a wallet and enables the user to carry keys easily.

SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.73, requiring a summary of the present technology briefly indicating the nature and substance of the present technology. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

In one embodiment, a card-type key holder is provided to enable a user to carry multiple keys in a wallet. The key holder may comprise of a rectangular shaped card. The card may be similar to a credit card or an electronic card. The card may be shaped and dimensioned in a way that it may fit into a wallet of a user. The card may be thin enough and made of a material such as plastic, vinyl, polymer and/or a metal etc.

The card-type key holder may be divided into plurality of panels by means of a plurality of fold lines. The fold lines may enable the card to be folded by pivoting the panels relative to each other. The fold lines may act as a hinge and allow the panels to pivot by 180-degrees relative to other panels. In an embodiment, the key holder may include a single fold line which may divide the key holder into two panels. The small panel may include a sleeve with pocket opening facing the side of the bigger panel. The sleeve may be used to contain a head portion of a key. In this manner, the key may remain in a snug or tight contact with the key holder. This may allow the key to be retained in the key holder and be carried around.

In an embodiment, the larger panel may include a depression region in order to secure a blade portion of the key. The depression region may allow the key holder to hold key in a compact manner.

In an embodiment, the sleeve may be made using a strip of thin plastic attached to the edges of the card from three sides. The open side may be used to allow key head to be inserted into the sleeve. Examples of materials which may be used to make the sleeve can be plastic, polymer, leather and/vinyl. The sleeve material may have elasticity and may be tensile to hold the key in place without tearing.

In an embodiment, the key holder may comprise two fold lines which in turn may divide the card into three panels. Each side panels may include a sleeve to accommodate a key head and the centre panel may include two depression regions, adjacent to each other, in order to hold the keys in place. Therefore, two keys may be held by the sleeves in the side panels. In order to use a key, the centre panel and one of the side panels may be pivoted relative to the other side panel allowing the blade portion of one of the key to be detached from the key holder. In this manner, the key may be used without removing it from the key holder.

In an embodiment, the key holder may comprise two fold lines which may divide the card into three panels. The centre panel may be small in size as compared to two side panels. In this embodiment, the sleeve may be provided in the centre panel having two openings which may face towards the two side panels. The key heads of the keys are retained in the sleeve, placed adjacent to each other, with the blades of the keys facing opposite sides. Therefore, the blade of one key is secured in a first depression region given on a first side panel and the blade of second key is secured in a second depression region given on a second side panel. The first or the second side panel may be pivoted by a 180-degree relative to the centre panel in order to access the first or the second keys respectively.

In an embodiment, the key holder may include two sided adhesive pads. The adhesive pads may be used to stick the key heads of the keys in order to attach the keys to the key holder. The adhesive pads may be made of any material known in the art.

Other aspects and example embodiments are provided in the drawings and the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present technology, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1a illustrates a card-type key holder 100 divided into panels, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1b illustrates a card-type key holder 100 including a key 112 held in one of the panels, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1c illustrates use of a key held in the card-type key holder 100, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate a card-type key holder 20 for holding two keys in accordance with another embodiment.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate a sleeve structure in card-type key holder according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate use of adhesive pads for holding the keys in a card-type key holder.

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a card-type key holder, in accordance to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of the features of the present technology are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present technology is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present technology.

According to FIG. 1a , a card-type key holder 100 is provided, in accordance with an embodiment. The key holder 100 is substantially rectangular in shape with trimmed corners and includes a flat card portion 102. The key holder 100 is preferably the size of a standard credit card or an electronic card which can easily fit in a wallet of a user. Examples of the material the card-type key holder 100 can be made of are plastic, vinyl, metal, polymeric and/or plastic etc. The material which possesses card-like stiffness.

The flat card portion 102 includes a fold line 108 that divides the flat card portion into portions 104 and 106. The fold line 108 may define a zone of weakness for folding the card portion 102 at least partially. Thus, the fold line 108 acts as a hinge to facilitate folding the card portion 102 by pivoting the portions 104 and 106 relative to each other. The fold line 108 can be provided by crimping the card material along the fold line 108.

According to FIG. 1b , a card-type key holder 100 is provided with a sleeve 110 in one of the panels for holding a key. The sleeve 110 is made of but not limited to plastic or polymerized material which is relatively flexible and has sufficient tensile strength to prevent tearing while holding a key. The sleeve 110 is appropriately shaped and dimensioned to receive a bow or key head 114 of a key 112 as shown in FIG. 1b . The key head 114 of the key 112 is inserted into a sleeve 110 such that it is in a snug or tight fit with the holder 100. The key head 114 is contained in the sleeve 110 without the key 112 separating from the holder 100. Advantageously, in this position, the key 112 is pushed tightly against the flat card portion 102 of the holder 100 so that the card holder 100 carries or holds the key 112 in a compact manner. The form factor of the key holder 100 is thin which allows it to be carried in a wallet of a user.

A depressed region in the shape of a blade 116 of the key is provided in the panel 106. The depressed region secures the blade 116 of the key to prevent slipping of the key 112. The panel 106 is appropriately sized to include the blade 116 of the key.

The key holder 10 is preferable made as thin as possible, considering the thickness of keys to be contained, to appear as a credit card as much as possible so that bulk is minimized.

FIG. 1c . illustrates an exemplary scenario to use a key 112 being attached in a card-type holder 100. The panels 104 and 106 are pivoted in a manner that the head 114 of the key 112 is retained inside the sleeve 110 without separating from the panel 106. The panels 104 and 12.3 are pivoted around the fold line 108 of as shown in FIG. 1c . This causes a shaft or blade 116 of the key to be exposed so that it can be inserted into a lock to open it. This allows using the key 112 while being attached to the key holder 100.

FIG. 2a illustrates a card-type key holder 200 for keeping two keys 214 and 216 in accordance to an embodiment. The flat card portion 102 (as shown in FIG. 1a ) is divided into three portions 204, 206 and 208 by means of fold lines 201 and 203 as shown in FIG. 2a . Two sleeves 210 and 212 are provided in the panels 204 and 208 respectively which allow the key holder 200 to hold two keys 214 and 216 respectively as embodied in FIG. 2a . There are two depressed regions in the central panel 206 of the key holder 200 which secures the keys in position without slipping.

The panels 204 and 206 are pivoted together relative to panel 208 along the fold line 203 to access key 214 as shown in FIG. 2b . The key blade 216 is exposed in this configuration which allows the use of key 214. Similarly, the panels 206 and 208 can be pivoted together relative to panel 204 along the fold line 201 by 180-degrees to access the key 216. The two keys 214 and 216 can be accessed without having to remove the keys from the key holder 200.

FIG. 3a illustrates an insertion of key 310 into a sleeve 302 of the key holder 300. The side panel 304 is pivoted relative to the other panels 306 and 308 as show in FIG. 3b . Key 310 is inserted into the sleeve opening 302 which is pocket like structure. The sleeve 302 allows the key head 214 (as shown in FIG. 2b ) of the key 310 to be inserted into the sleeve 302 as depicted in FIG. 3b . Thus, key 310 is snugly or tightly attached to the key holder 300 with the help of the sleeve 302.

FIG. 4a illustrates the use of adhesive pads for holding the keys in the key holder 400 in accordance with an embodiment. Adhesive pads 408 and 410 having adhesive property on either sides are attached to the side panels 402 and 406. On one side the adhesive pads 408 and 410 are attached to the key holder 400 and on other side to the key heads of the key as shown in FIG. 4b . Adhesive pads can be of a suitable shape and size for adhesively sticking to the panels of the key holder 400. Examples of adhesive pads may include but are not limited to two sided tape or similar adhesive means well known in the art. The adhesive pads 408 and 410 are attached to the panels 402 and 406 for sticking the key heads 414 and 416 of the of the keys 420 and 418 respectively to the side panels 402 and 406 respectively and thus to the key holder 400.

In an embodiment, magnetic strips can be embedded in the panels of the key holder 400 for holding the keys made of ferromagnetic materials. Examples of ferromagnetic materials are iron, nickel and/or cobalt and the like.

FIG. 5a illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a card type key holder 500. The key holder 500 includes adhesive pads in the centre panel 504. The sleeve can be a strip like structure attached on two sides to the card edge and with an opening on either sides for securing two key heads 508 and 510 of the keys 512 and 514. FIG. 5b illustrates two keys being attached to the centre panel 504. In an embodiment, a sleeve can be used to hold the key heads to the centre panel 504. The sleeve can be a strip like structure attached on two sides to the card edge of the centre panel 504 and with an opening on either sides for securing two key heads 508 and 510 of the keys 512 and 514. The keys are placed such that that blade of one key 512 is included in the side panel 502 and of the other key 514 is included in the side panel 506. The side panels 502 and 506 can be pivoted by 180 degrees angle relative to the centre panel 504 to access either of the keys.

Also, techniques, devices, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present technology. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be considered directly coupled with each other but may still be indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise, with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations ascertainable by one skilled in the art, upon or subsequent to studying the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology.

It should be noted that reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages should be or are in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages may be understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed above, may be practiced with steps and/or operations in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the technology has been described based upon these exemplary embodiments, it is noted that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions may be apparent and well within the spirit and scope of the technology. Although various exemplary embodiments of the present technology are described herein in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A means for holding keys, comprising: a rectangular shaped flat card; one or more fold lines in order to divide the card into a plurality of panels wherein, the fold lines allow the plurality of panels to pivot relative to each other by 180-degree angle; and a sleeve provided in one or more panels of the card wherein, the sleeve has one or more openings.
 2. The means for holding keys of claim 1, further comprises a depression provided in first panel in order to secure the key in a compact manner.
 3. The means for holding keys of claim 2, wherein the depression is provided to secure a blade portion of a key.
 4. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the one or more panels are dimensioned in order to contain a head of a key.
 5. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured to hold the key against the card in a compact manner.
 6. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein a first panel is dimensioned to contain a blade portion of the key.
 7. The means for holding keys of claim 1, further comprises a plurality of two sided adhesive pads in one or more panels.
 8. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the shape of the adhesive pads is circular or rectangular.
 9. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the card is shaped and dimensioned to include at least two keys placed adjacent to each other against the card surface.
 10. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the one or more fold lines are formed by crimping the card material.
 11. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the material of the sleeve is elastic and tensile.
 12. The means for holding keys of claim 1, wherein the card is made of material comprising: plastic, vinyl, metal and/or polymer. 